Automatic weighing mechanism.



l No. 765,676. PATENTED JULY 26, 1964.

' A. H. PHILLIPS.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED HAY 7, 1901. N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS--BHEET l.

No. 765,676. I PATLNTLD JULY 26, 1904.

' A. H. PHILLIPS.

AUTGMATIG WLIGHLNG MLGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7. 1901.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 765,676. PATBNTBD4 JUY ze, 1904.

A. H. PHILLIPS. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MBGHANISM. A APPLIoATIoN FILED nu '1. 1901. X0 IODBL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 765,676. PATENTED JULY 26, 1904.

A. H. PHILLIPS. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED KAY 7, 1901.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I0 MODEL.

No. 765.676. ratented July 2e, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ADELBERT H. PHILLIPS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AUTOMATIC PACKING AND WVEIGHING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 765,67 6, dated July 26, 1904.

Original application filed December 2, 1899, Serial No. 738,976. Divided and this application filed May 7, 1901. Serial No. 59 ,177

. (No model.)

T all whom t "my @0W-007%# and attached scales and in another part a por- Be it known that I, ADELBERT H. PHILLIPS, tion of the fixed hopper above said weighinga citizen of the United States of America, and table. Fig. 5 is a separate enlarged view in- 50 a resident of the city and county of Philadeldicating the varying openings provided for 5 phia and State of Pennsylvania, have inve'ntthe gates of the several fixed hopper-outlets. ed certain new and useful Improvements in Figs. 6 and 7 are separate views of the scale- Automatic I/Veighing Mechanism, of which beam-operating cam, and Fig. 8 is a detail the following is a specification. view of the weighing vessel.

My present invention relates to improved A represents the bed-plate of my complete Io automatic weighing mechanism adapted parmachine, which, as shown, is circular in form ticularly for use in connection with an autoand supported upon legs A', which are conmatic packaging-machine, such as is shown in nected by arms A2 with a central support A3 my pending application for Letters Patent for a fixed central column A4. Upon the lat- 6 0 filed December 2, 1899, Serial No. 7 38,97 6, ter is rotatably mounted the bag-forming ta- 15 and it embraces features shown in said pendble, made up of a top plate B and bottom ing application, but not claimed therein. plate B, connected by posts b, and the weigh- A main object of my invention is to proing table or ring B2,- which is connected with vide for the employment of a continuouslythe bag-forming table by posts b', these ta- 65 revolving series of receiving and weighing bles being carried above the bed-plate A by 2o vessels in connection with a fixed hopper; and a sleeve B3 on the column A4, to the top flange the invention consists in the novel mechanism b2 of which sleeve the bag-forming table is sefor eecting this object and in other features cured, while the lower fiangc b3 of the same of construction `and arrangement which are bears upon the bed-plate A. A bottom exfully described in connection with the accomtension t* of the sleeve passes through the z 5 panying drawings and particularly pointed bed-plate for attachment of a worm-wheelB out in the claims. through which rotary movement is imparted Figure l is a partly sectional view of a porto the sleeve and the tables carried thereby tion of a machine embodying myv improvefrom a driving-shaft C, suitably mounted ments. In this figure the bag-forming mechunder the bed-plate. 1

3o anism, except that portion thereof which en- `Upon the top of the fixed central column gages the cam hereinafter referred to, which A4 is carried a fixed hopper D, adapted to reis at the point where it is projected into posiceive and hold a supply of the material to be tion to receive the material, is removed, the packaged, said hopper being of any preferred SO forming mechanism shown as retracted being' form so far as the main body is concerned,

3 5 one which is approaching said position. Fig. but being provided with a series of bottom 2 is apartial sectional elevation showing some discharge-outlets CZ Z d, adapted to discharge of the parts in different position from Fig. 1. successively into each of a circular series of In this figure the bag-forming mechanism is receiving and weighing pans E, carried by the projected to the place where it receives the rotary weighing-table B2, as each pan is suc- 40 materiall from the receiver or pan of the cessively swung under said series of outweighing mechanism. Fig. 3 is a sectional lets, the object being to deliver into each pan plan view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, showing just the desired amount of material without a portion of the bagforming mechanism intermitting the rotary movement of the which in my preferred construction coperweighing table or pans. To accomplish this,

45 ates with my improved weighing mechanism. I preferably provide each outlet l from the Fig. 4 is a plan View showing in one part hopper with a hinged gate d', which is northereof aportion of the rotary Weighing-table mally held closed by a spring (Z2, but which is so arranged as to be opened automatically by an electromagnet d3 while any one of the weighing-pans is in proper position below it, and electric circuit through the `magnet-coil S-:Jeing closed, as indicated in the drawings, by

contact of a circuit-closer e* on the `moving weighing-'pan scale-beam E with a fixed member d* in the circuit.

The gate of thefrst one or more outlets `should be arranged to open considerably, as indicated by one or other of the dotted positions in Fig. 5, so as to deliver rapidly into the moving weighing-pan, the gate being closed by the spring Z2 before the pan has passed the outlet by the opening of the circuit through the electromagnet. Succeeding gates el are similarly opened and closed automatically as the pan passes beneath them; but the size of the opening and the fiow of material is reduced', as indicated by the nearlyclosed position in Fig. 5, as the pan is gradually filled until from the last outlet a mere trickle of material may be delivered into the pan to complete the amount required to depress the end of the scale-beam.

Each of the circular series of weighingpans E is carried upon the outer end of a radially-arranged scale-beam E', which is pivoted intermediately at e to a bearing on the weighing-table B2. The inner end of each beam is provided with an adjustable weight Ye and with an end roller @3 and is guided in vertical guideways e2, fixed to the table B2. A mercury-tube E2 is also preferably provided on each scale-beam, the purpose of which is to throw the additional weight of a ,quantity of mercury contained in said tube toward the outer end of the beam as soon as the latter has been slightly depressed by the filling of the pan E, thus giving a more positive downward-moving tendency to said pan.

In order to retain control of the vertical swing of the weighing-pan E, so that the latter may be properly operated for delivery into the package or bag, as hereinafter described, I provide a cam -E3 on the fixed central column A4, in which each roller@3 on the beam end rides and by which the vertical movement of the beam and weighing-pan is controlled, as may be required.

The continuousbag-forming mechanism which is preferably used in connection with my continuous-weighing mechanism above de- Y are carried by their table B B, which revolves with the weighing-table B. Each former is automatically moved inward and outward in a radial direction during each revolution of the table, the bag-forming operations thereon being effected mainly while in retracted position and the finished bag moved outward, carried on the hollow former, at the proper time to bring it under the receiving and weig'hing vessel E, carried above it, before the latter' has been properly filled and lowered, as previously described, so as to be ready to receive the contents thereof when discharged. While the parts E and F are revolving together in this relative position, the hinged bottom gates E4 of the weighing vessel or pan E are automatically opened, as indicated, by fixed fingers E5 E, carried from the bed-plate A on a standard E7 and arranged in the path of the weighing vessel so as to engage a fixed projection e* on the outer face of the pan and a movable pin e5 at the junction of links e e, connecting the gate-arms es @s with the centrally-guided rod e7, carrying a locking-bar em, which when depressed by a spring e, adapted to normally close the gates E4, engages the latter, so as to positively hold them closed until said lockingbar is raised by the passing of the projections e4 e5 between the fixed fingers, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 8, which passage also positively opens the gates, as shown, thus delivering the contents into the bag, which latter is thereby forced off from the former F, to be caught and subsequently packed and closed in any suitable manner.

' It will be observed that my improved packaging-machine embraces, in conjunction with a hopper or other suitable reservoir for the material to be packed, a traveling series of groups of packaging devices, each group 1ndependent of every other group and each group compreliending a pan or receptacle ICO which receives the material from the reservoir and when it has received its predetermined quantity of material discharges the same directly into an element which moves with it and forms part of the group and carries the package which constitutes the final receptacle of the material, as contradistinguished from a weighing or measuring mechanism wherein the several Weighing or meas- IIO uring elements of the structure discharge their predetermined loads into a discharge-conduit common to all the measuring or weighingA elements. This constitutes one of the principal features embraced in this invention-and enables the several operations of fillingthe packages to be performed while the elements 1. In a packaging-machine, the combination lof a rotating series of packaging devices and means by which the same are supplied with material to be packaged, each of said packaging devices being independent of every other packaging device and each comprising a package-carrier and a weighing mechanism rota- -ment of said pan or receptacle to cause the same to discharge its load Vinto said carrier.

2. Inapackaging-machine, the combination of a rotating series of packaging devices and means by which the same are supplied with material to be packaged, each of said packaging devices being independent of every other packaging device and each comprising a package-carrier and a weighing mechanism rotative together, said weighing mechanism including a scale-beam and a pan or vessel supported thereby and having a normally closed outlet, and means for opening the outlets from the pans or vessels when the latter have been lowered by the action of the scale-beam toward the package-carrying devices to thereby discharge the predetermined load from said pans or vessels toward the said package-carrying devices.

3. In a packaging-machine, the combination with a relatively stationary reservoir for the material to be packaged, having means by which the material is discharged therefrom, of rotating groups of packaging devices adapted to package the material while the groups are Vin motion, each group being independent of every other group and each including a weighing-scale and a package-carrying device, said scale having mechanism which controls the discharge from the reservoir and a pan or vessel supported by its beam and provided with means by which its outlet is closed, and said package-carrying device rotating with said pan or vessel and so related thereto as to receive the material discharged therefrom, and means for opening the outlets from the pans or vessels when the latter have been lowered by the action lof the scale-beam toward the package-carrying devices.

4. Inapackaging-macliine, the combination with a series of receivingvessels orpans, weigh- 1 ing mechanisms carrying the same, means for v supporting a package beneath each or' said vessels or pans and mechanism for rotating said parts together, of'gated means for supplying the receiving vessels or pans with material to be packaged, means controlled by the rotative movement of the partsfor opening and closing the gated supplying means, and means operable during the downward movement of said vessels or pans to cause the same to discharge into their respective package-carriers when loaded.

5. In a packaging-machine, the combination of a traveling series of receiving vessels or pans, and weighing mechanisms carrying the same, means operated to supply each of said vessels or pans with a varying quantity of material to be packaged to thereby'cumulatively load the same, a package-carrier for each of said vessels or pans traveling therewith and means operated by downward movement of said pans or vessels to cause the discharge of the contents thereoi1 toward their respective package-carrying devices.

6. In an automatic weigliing-macliine the combination with a continuously-moving series of weighing mechanisms each having a.

receiving vessel, of a fixed hopper having a series of independent outlets into communication with which said vessels are carried by the movement of said weighing mechanisms, each outlet of the series having a normally closed delivery device the series of devices having gradually-reduced delivery capacities and means controlled by the movement of said weighing mechanisms for automatically opening' each of said devices in succession during the passage of each or' said vessels to cumulatively load the same.

7 In a packaging-machine the combination with a continuously-moving series of weighing mechanisms each having a receiving vessel, of a fixed hopper having a plurality of independent outlets beneath which said vessels are carried by the movement of said weighing mechanisms, a plurality of gates arranged to normally close said outlets and means mov- -able with said moving vessels, whereby each of, said gates is automatically opened in succession during the passage of each or said vessels beneath it.

8. In an automatic weigliing-macliine, the` combination with a continuously-moving series of weighing mechanisms each liaving a receiving vessel, of a hopper having a plurality of independent outlets each provided vwith a normally closed delivery device, said `during the passage of each of said vessels beneath it.

9. In a packaging-machine,the combination With a hopper having a series of independent Y outlets With gates therefor,of a continuouslymoving series of receiving vessels, a scalebeam carrying each of said vessels, devices carried by said beams for successively opening said gates during the passage of said vessels IOO IIO

thereunder, said beams operati-ng to lower their respective vessels, of bag-carriers arranged below said vessels andl moving therewith and each adapted to receive the material from the vessel above it.

10. In a packaging-machine, the combination of a hopper with a plurality of independent groups of packaging' devices each comprising a receiving vessel, a scale-beam carrying the same, a bag-carrier arranged below said vessel and moving therewith, and adapted to receive the material from the vessel above it when said vessel is lowered by the swing of the scale-beam, and means for causing' the automatic discharge of the contents of said lowered vessel into said bag-carrier.

11. Inf a packaging-machine, a movable receiving vessel or pan having hinged bottom gates, a scale-beam carrying the same, and a package-carrier beneath. said vessel, in. combination with a spring-actuated closing means forsaid gates having' arms pivoted to said gates and extending Jfrom a commonA pivotal point, andi a relatively iXed device projecting into the path of said pivotal point to raise the same and thereby open said gates against the action of said: spring and cause the material to be discharged therefrom into the package beneath.

12. In a packaging-machine, the combination with a hopper, of a rotary series of gated receiving and measuring vesselsV each carried upon a radially-arranged scale-beam, vertical guides for saidv beams, a fixed cam arranged to engage the weighted ends of said beams to control theirverticalswing, means to'open said gates when. in their lowered positions and package-carriers which receive the material from said vessels.

13. In a packaging-machine, the combination of a traveling series of weighing mechanisms each having a receiving vessel, and loading means for said receiving vessels having gated outlets of varying discharge capacitiesand means for opening said gates in succession tov thereby cumulatively load each of said vessels.

14. In a packaging-machine,- thek combination 4with a hopper, of a rotary series of gated receiving vessels eachv carried upon a scalebeam, vertical guides for said beams, means to engage the weighted. ends oi' said beams to control their vertical swing, a gravitating means on each. beam, moving toward the vessely thereon when said vessel is partly depressed. to give a more positive downwardmoving tendency thereto, and means to open the gates of said vessels when the same are in their lowered positions.

15. In a packaging-machine, the combination with a hopper, of a rotary series or' gated receiving vessels, a scale-beam. carrying each of said vessels, vertical guides for said beams,

-means to engage the weighted ends of said beams to control 'their vertical; swing, a mercury-containing tube on each beam, means to open the gates of said vessels when the same are in their loweredy positions, and packagecarriers beneath said vessels.

v16. In a packaging-machine, the combination of rotating packaging devices and means by which the same are supplied with material to be packaged each of said packaging devices being independent of every other packaging device and each comprising a bag-former and a weighing mechanism rotative together, and means operated to cause the discharge of the weighed material intol the bag on said former at the propertime.

17. In a packaging-machine, the combination of a material-supplying means, av means Jfor receiving a predetermined quantity of material therefrom, a bag-former movable relatively to said receiving means, and mechanism operable to adjust said former into position to cause the bag thereon to receive` the load from said receiver and to cause thelatter to= discharge its load into said bag;

18. In a packaging-machine, the combination of rotating packaging devices and means by which the same are supplied with material to be packaged, each of said packaging devices being independent of every other packaging device and each comprising a bag-former and a weighing mechan-ism rotative together, said weighing mechanism having a material-receiving vessel or pan movable toward said bagformer when loaded and said bag-former being movable into and out of position to receive the material from said vessel or pan, means for causing properly-timed movements of the several parts and means or'causing the discharge of the materiali from said vessel or pan into thebag on said former.A

19. In a packaging-machine, the combination of traveling packaging devices and means by which the same are supplied with material to be packaged, said packaging devices comprising bag-carriers, means for supplying' a regulated quantity of material to the bags on said carriers, means Jfor causing said carriers and their respective supplying means to travel together, means for moving the bag-carriers inward and outward, in a radial direction, and means Jfor causing, the discharge of said regulated quantity of material into the bags on said carriers from their respective supplying means when the bag-carriers are in one position of their inward or outward movement.

20. In an automatic weighing-machinathe combination with a traveling carrier, of a series of weighing mechanisms mounted` thereon and each. having a receiving vessel, a seriesA of feeders for said vessels arranged along .the path of movement thereof and having graduated delivery capacities,r and meansl operable TOO IIO

IZO

in the travel of the carrier to efect discharge from one or more of said feeders.

21. In an automatic Weighing-machine the combination of a carrier, Weighing mechanism thereon, feed mechanism relative to said carrier, said mechanism including a stationary hopper having a plurality of discharge-outlets in its bottom, closures controlling the discharge from said outlets, and means operated by the traveling Weighing mechanism to con- IO trol automatically said closures.

Signed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 27th day of March, 1901.

ADELBERT H. PHILLIPS.

Witnesses: p

RUPERT G. RAEZER, LAURA V. VVHITCOMB. 

